Means for controlling the supply of fuel to liquid fuel burners of heating systems for automotive engines or the like



May 3%, 11950 M. RESEK 2,509,399

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO LIQUID FUEL BURNERS 0F HEATING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES OR THE LIKE Filed June 5, 1946 5 She'ets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Ma F6 Fess av? May 30, 1950 M. RESEK 2,509,399

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO LIQUID FUEL BURNERS OF HEATING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES OR THE LIKE Filed June 3, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Marc Resek MMM y 1959 M. RESEK MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO LIQUID FUEL BURNERS OF HEATING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 3, 1946 W U, 1950 T M. RESEK MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL T0 LIQUID FUEL BURNERS OF HEATING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 5, 1946 INVENTOR. Marc Ease/r ATTVJT Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IIIEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO LIQUID FUEL BURNERS OF HEATING SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES OR THE LIKE corporation of Ohio Application June 3, 1946, Serial No. 674,012

15 Claims.

This invention relates to that class of heating apparatus that is adapted for use on automotive vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines for warming the engines, as by heating the contents of their cooling systems, in order to facilitate starting in cold weather. The invention is concerned more particularly with that kind of engine heating apparatus involving a circulating type of liquid heater equipped with a liquid fuel burner.

An important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the aforesaid class incorporating remote controls so that, from a location in convenient reach of the driver's seat, for example, the apparatus may be started, regulated and stopped, at will. To this end, the apparatus involves certain well-coordinated electrical and mechanical devices; and it is a further object to so construct and organize the apparatus that it will be economical in the use of fuel and current.

Other objects are to provide apparatus of the above class and character that merits a high safety rating from the standpoint of fire hazard and that is thoroughly efiicient and reliable in service.

Additional advantages, and objects of a more limited nature than those above mentioned, will appear as the description proceeds, such as those having to do with simplification of construction and operation; compactness; ease of assembly, dlsassembly and installation; and coaction between certain mechanisms to the end that by a single manual operation, several different actions may be performed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, Fig, l is an elevational view of the engine heater, proper, including the liquid fuel feeding and control means therefor; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the heater on a larger scale and looking in the opposite direction from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of the heater; Fig. 5 is a sectional detail on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a section through the float chamber of the fuel feed and control means, on the line 6-5 of Fig. 5; Figs. '7 and 8 are a side elevational view, and a plan view, respectively, of the electrical igniter; Fig. 9 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of the lower heater assembly including the fuel feed and control means, and Fig. 10 is a. diagrammatic representation of my improved engine heating apparatus and controls installed on an automotive vehicle, the engine of which, with its appurtenances, is shown in dot and dash lines.

I shall first describe the novel construction of the engine heater, proper, and its liquid fuel feeding and control means, and then follow with a disclosure of the entire apparatus.

The engine heater, designated generally by the reference numeral I, consists of two major assemblies, and as best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 9, the bottom assembly includes a burner bowl that is designated generally by the reference numeral 2. The top portion of the bowl is formed by a cylindrical wall 3 and an annular top wall 4, the relatively large central opening of which is surrounded by a depending flange 5. Secured to and spaced from the wall 4, by a suitable number of connectors 6, is the annular portion. 1 of a throat member 8 that is flared outwardly at its upper end and terminates in a cylindrical flange 9, the body portion of the throat member being of approximately the same diameter as the wall 3 of the burner bowl. The inner edge of the annular portion 1 is curved upwardly and thence downwardly to provide a flange ID that is spaced radially inwardly from and surrounded by the previously mentioned flange 5. The space between annular portion I of the throat member 8 and the top wall of the burner bowl 2 forms a secondary air passage I I.

The lower end of the wall 3 is telescoped into a slightly enlarged portion of a cylindrical wall [2 of a bottom member I4, the lower end of which constitutes the bottom wall I5 of the burner bowl. Projected upwardly through a circular opening in the center of the wall I5 is a tube It, shown as flared outwardly at its lower end a short distance below the plane of the adjacent portion of the bottom wall l5. The joints between the walls 3 and I2 and between the wall I5 and tube I6 are made secure and liquid tight by welding or other means. Above its telescoping connection with the wall 3, the wall I2 is flared outwardly and then continues upwardly as a cylindrical wall I8 of about the same diameter as the flange 9 of the throat member 8. The top portion of the Wall I8 is desirably convergent, as indicated at I9.

Surrounding the lower portion of the burner bowl is a cup-like shell 20, the cylindrical edge wall 2| of which fits over the lower portion of the wall I8 oi the member M, while the top edge portion of the wall 2| is offset outwardly to provide between itself and the top portion of the wall I8 a channel 22 that contains a gasket 23 of packing material. The perimeter of the shell 20 is divergent as shown at 24 to provide with the previously mentioned portion I9 9. flared entrance for the channel 22. The wall 2| is secured to the wall I8 in any suitable manner, as by welding.

wardly to provide a wing 38.

- material.

'trical resistance wire. [other non-combustible absorbent material sur- Surrounding a large central opening in the bottom of the shell is an upstanding flange 25 that is engaged with the bottom wall of the burner bowl. When the burner is in operation, the bottom of the bowl is protected from the atmospheric temperature by the shell 25, so that it will not be chilled to such an extent as to adversely aifect vaporization of the liquid fuel in.

the bowl. Above its connection with the bottom member is, the peripheral wall 3 of the bowlis provided with air admitting openings 26.

311 denotes, generally, an electrical igniter unit that is separably connected to'the bottom assembly or, more specifically, to the bottom of the shell it. Said igniter, shown in detail in Figs. '7 and 8, consists of a base 3], desirably formed from sheet metal to provide a closure for the tube H5. The central area of the base 3! is embossed upwardly to provide, between cylindrical portions of different diameters, an annular seat 34 which is adapted to bear against the flared lower end of the tube It. The end portions 35 of. the base 3i have laterally opening and in- I wardly enlarging notches that are equally spaced from the aids of the elevated central portion 3'! of the base and are in diametrical alignment therewith. One side of each end portion of the base, opposite its notch 36, is turned down- Secured to and depending from the bottom of-the shell 2d are studs 'dlhtc the threaded lower ends of which are applied nuts ll. Slidable on each of the studs 40 is the apertured frusto conical upper end of a thirnble 42 that is urged upwardly along the stud "by a spring it that surrounds the stud and is compressed between said upper end and the nut The studs are so placed that when the igniter unit is presented to the bottom assembly with the elevated central portion 3? of its base piloted within the bottom of the tube l5 and with the seat 34 engaging said tube, the studs are in the orbital path of the notches 36. Now,

,upon turning the base by applying force to the "43 now acting to urge the base upwardly against the tube l5.

Extending through apertures in the central elevated portion 3? of the base 3i are posts 45 and fiii, the latter being insulated from the base by a bushing ii and a washer 48 of insulating It may be explained, with respect to Fig. 3, that the plane of section through the base 35 is offset adjacent the transverse center of the base in a direction toward the observer enough to cut centrally through the bushing 51.

Any suitable expedient ma be employed to otherwise secure the posts 45 and 46 to the base 3|, the

post 46 being insulated from the base in the manher just described, while the post 45 is grounded to the base. The upper ends of the posts, shown as flattened, are turned laterally and spread apart and supported by and between said ends, and

electrically connected thereto, is an igniter element 5h, desirably consisting of a coil of elec- A wick 5! of asbestos or rounds, and extends slightly above, the tube I6, and, by capillary action, conducts liquid fuel from the bottom of the bowl upwardly into vaporizing and lighting relation to the igniter element 55.

supported by the lugs 55.

domes.

th upper assembly of the heater. Engaged downwardly over the throat member 8, and of a diameter only slightly greater than that of the peripheral flange 9 of said member, is a cylindrical casing 55. The lower end of this casing occupies the channel 22 and seats against the gasket 23. Apertured lugs 56 are secured to and extend outwardly frOm the casing 55 near the lower end thereof, and these lugs are adapted to align, vertically, with bifurcated lugs 57 that are secured to and extend laterally from the lower portion of the bottom shell 2!]. Bolts 58 have their threaded ends engaged upwardly through the apertures .of the lugs 55 and thereabove are threaded through nuts 59 that are non-rot-atably The bolts 53 have winged heads 65 that repose beneath the bifurcated lugs 5! when the bolts are engaged within the notches thereof. By turning the bolts by means of their heads 55, the upper and lower assemblies of the heater may b drawn firmly together with the joint between them sealed by the gasket 23. The bolts are desirably retained against complete withdrawal from the nuts 59 by cotter pins 6| that extend through holesin the bolts,

The upper end of the casing 55 is shown as surrounded by an inwardly turned stiffening flange 65, and surmounting the casing is a top 66 having a central opening surrounded by a collar B]. To this collar is secured a split clamp BB for the attachment of a flue or conduit 69 (Fig. 10) for carrying the products of combustion from beneath the hood of the vehicle on which the apparatus is installed. For attaching the heater to a supportwhich may be a part of the vehicle, or a special bracket, according to the r quirements of the particular insta1lation-a mounting plate Til is fastened to one side of the casing 55.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the top 65 is provided with an opening '55, through which the action of the burner may be observed, or by way of which a taper ma be inserted for lighting the burner in case of failure of the electrical igniter. A cover 16 is hingedly connected to the top 55 and normally closes the opening 15.

A flat ring 18 is suitably connected to and extends inwardly from the wall of the casing 55 immediately above the throat member 8 and within the portion of the combustion chamber i9 thereabove is disposed, in spaced relation to the walls of the casing, a circulating and heat exchanging unit 8-3. This unit, in the present embodiment, consists of an outer dome 8i and an inner dome 32, the latter being inserted upwardly intothe former and having its lower end flared outwardly and welded or otherwise secured to the corresponding end of the outer dome. Flues 83 have theirreduced ends sealed within aligned openings in the top circular walls of the inner and outer Internally threaded spuds 85 and 86 have their inner ends secured within apertures in the peripheral wall of the outer dome 8! and form, respectively, the inlet and the outlet for the liquid circulating space between the domes. 81 is a bar of relatively heavy stiff metal which has its ends rigidly fastened to the spuds 85 and 35, and adjacent the spuds said bar has threaded apertures in which are engaged screws 88, shown as fitted with lock washers, the screws being projected through registering holes in the wall of the casing 55. B this means, the circulating unit 85 is securely fastened to the casing 55 in spaced relation to the peripheral wall thereof so that products of combustion rising into th combustion chamber pass upwardly through and about the unit and out through the opening of the top 66. The purpose of the ring I is threefold. It imparts roundness and rigidity to the casing 55, insuring easy insertion of the throat member 0; it directs the major portion of the rising products through the central passage of the circulating unit '80, and it prevents air that escapes from the plenum chamber, later to be described, about the flange 9, from rising directly into the space about the circulating unit. Such air is deflected inwardly by the ring and mingles with the products.

' Secured to one side of the casing 55, adjacent the top thereof, is a bracket 90 that supports an air impeller or blower, designated generally by the reference numeral SI, and an electric motor '92, by which the fan or rotor of the air impeller or blower is driven. The casing 93 of the blower encloses the fan or rotor 00, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The outlet of the blower casing 03 communicates, through a conduit 95 and a fitting 95, with a plenum chamber I00 set off within the casing 55 by the enlarged upper ends of the throat member 0 and the bottom member I4, the casing wall having an opening IOI, shown as a horizontal slot, in register with the outlet end of the fitting 90.

It is apparent, from the foregoing that when the electric motor 52 is energized, air will be drawn from the atmosphere through the inlet opening 53 of the casing 93 and forced through the conduit 95 and fitting 06 into the plenum chamber 300, to supply primary air to the burner bowl through the perforations or openings 20, and secondary air thereto through the passage I I, said secondary air being directed downwardly into the bowl by the flange I0.

I shall now describe the liquid fuel feeding and control means which, as previously mentioned, is a structural part of the lower assembly. Rigidly secured, through brackets I04, to

the side of the bottom shell 20 of the lower assembly, is said liquid fuel feeding and control means, designated generally by the reference numeral I05. Said means includes a casing I00 that is generally L-shaped in side elevation, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 5, and the interior of the casing is separated by a transverse partition or barrier l0! into a receiving compartment I08 and a delivery compartment I00. The portion of the casing I00 that corresponds to the foot of the L has an opening H0 in its top wall that is normally covered by a closure III. This closure, as best shown in Fig. 6, mounts a casing I I2 of an inlet valve H3. The lower end of said valve is operatively connected to an arm i M that is pivoted at II to a bracket H6 carried by the closure III. A float II! is fastened to the free end of the arm II and serves to elevate the arm and, through the latter, seat the valve i It to shut off the supply of liquid fuel to the receiving compartment I00 when the fuel has reached the level indicated by the broken line a. Desirably, the liquid fuel is passed through a filter IIB incorporated in the connections between a liquid fuel supply pipe H9 and the casing H2 of the inlet valve H3. The pipe IIB leads from a suitable source of liquid fuel supply, as will hereinafter appear. Sealed within an opening in the bottom of the portion of the casing which encloses the receiving compartment I08 is a combination fitting I20 including an overflow pipe I2I that rises a suitable distance above the normal maximum liquid level in said receiving compartment, such level being that indicated by the aforesaid broken line a (Figs. 5 and 6). A drain pipe I22 is connected to the outer end of the fitting I20 and has its discharge end well spaced from the vicinity of the heater to avoid any possibility of overflow fuel being ignited from the burner. Escape of fuel through the overflow pipe I2I is prevented, under certain circumstances hereinafter to be described, by a valve I23 that is urged toward a seat, in the present instance constituted of the lower end of the overflow pipe, by a spring I24 that is compressed between the valve and an interior shoulder of the fitting. The valve I23 has a stem I23 that extends through the overflow pipe and protrudes a suitable distance above the same.

Extending across the receiving compartment 03 in vertical alignment with the stem of the overflow valve I23, and beneath and at right angles to the float arm II 4, is a lever I25. One end of this lever is pivoted at I25 to a bracket i2! that is fastened to the side of the casing. A helical spring I26 surrounds the upper portion of the overflow pipe I2I and rests on a shoulder I2i thereof, and the upper end of the spring is fastened to the lever I25 and tends to elevate the lever to the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 5.

Communicative connections are provided between the delivery compartment I09 of the easing I06 and the burner bowl 2. These connections, in the present instance, include a valve casing I30 which has its inlet end sealed within an aperture in the bottom of said casing I06. The connections are completed by a pipe I3I that leads from the outlet of the valve casing I30, through an opening in the shell 20, and has its end remote from said valve casing sealed within an aperture in the bottom member of the burner bowl. An air tube 532 is desirably incorporated in the burner bowl for admitting air from the plenum chamber we, or more specifically from the secondary air passage II according to the present construction, to the bottom of the bowl in the immediate vicinity of the fuel supply pipe I3I. This insures complete vaporization of the fuel, including its heavier constituents that are otherwise liable not to vaporize and to accumulate. A valve I33 (Fig. 5) occupies the valve casing I30 and it is urged upwardly by a spring I34 compressed between the valve and a screw cap I 35 that is applied to the lower end of the valve casing I30 so as to engage the tapered upper end of the valve with a seat I30. A relatively long stem I31 rises from the valve I33 through the inlet end of the casing I30 and projeets an appreciable distance into the delivery compartment I00.

A liquid fue1 transfer means is provided for effecting a controlled feed of the fuel from the receiving compartment I00, past the barrier or partition I01, to the delivery compartment I09. This transfer means is desirably in the nature of a siphon and, in its present preferred form, consists of a Wick siphon I 40 that is supported by a carrier I02 astride the partition I01, and when the carrier is depressed sufficiently to dip a leg of the wick siphon into the liquid fuel in the receiving compartment I08, the fuel, by capillary and siphonic action, will be transferred from said receiving compartment over the partition into the delivery compartment I09. The wick siphon and its carrier are especially well shown in the perspective view of Fig, 9. From that view and Fig. 5 it will be seen that the carri-er I42 is provided with a foot I45 that is arranged to engage the stem I31 of the valve I33 when the carrier is depressed sufficiently. The carrier is also equipped with a ledge I46 that is in the vertical path of movement of the free end of the lever I25.

An actuator bar I41 projects upwardly from the wick carrier 142 through a slot in a cover I48 that closes the upwardly extending portion of the L-shaped casing I99, said cover being secured to the casing by screws I59 that extend through holes in the cover and are threaded into lugs IE! on the inside of the casing. I55 is a. plate that is attached, by means of a base flange I 58, to the outside of the cover I48, the flange being fastened to the cover desirably by welding. The previously mentioned actuator bar I41 of the wick carrier hi2 rises adjacent one side of the plate I55, and a pin I58 extends through an aperture in said bar, thence through a vertical slot I58 ofv said plate I55, and finally through a longitudinal slot I 60 of a lever IBI that is disposed on the opposite side of said plate from the bar I51. A spring I62 surrounds the pin I58 and is compressed between the bar I41 and a washer 58 that is held on the said pin I58by a cotter. pin I64. Another cotter pin I85, engaged through a hole in the opposite end of the pin I58, prevents withdrawal of the latter through the slot I89 in the lever IEiI, a washer I85 desirably being interposed between the cotter pin I95 and said lever. The lever IBI is pivotally attached to the plate I555 by a pin I61 (Fig. 3). Said pin is extended through an aperture of the lever and therebeyond has a washer I 98 applied to it. The washer is held on the pin I81 by a cotter pin I59. A button I18 is rotatably connected to the end of the lever IfiI remote from the latters connection with the bar I41 of the wick carrier, and secured to this button is the end of a flexible element or Wire I1I. I denotes a tube or sheath through which the flexible element or wire Ill is guided for longitudinal movement, and the end of the sheath or tube I'IE'adjacent the fuel feed and control means is secured, by a clamping plate I15 and screws I11, to an extension of the plate 155.

As appears in Fig. 10, the sheath I15 is led upwardly and thence rearwardly and is shown as terminating adjacent a panel I18. This panel may be a part of, or an addition to, the standard instrument panel of the vehicle. The sheath is suitably supported where necessary, particularly near its rear end, as shown. The flexible element or wire IlI extends beyond the rear end of the sheath I15 and through an aperture in the panel 618. An abutment I19 is attached to the element or wire beyond the end of the sheath, and the flexible element I1I is adapted to be moved in a longitudinal direction by a knob I80 that is fastened to its end beyond the panel I18.

In the diagram of Fig. 10, the internal combustion engine by which the vehicle is propelled is shown in dot and dash lines and designated E. Its water jacket or coolant space has the usual conduit connections e and c with the radiator R. Surrounding the filling spout r of the radiator is a chamber I85 that is vented adjacent its top through an aperture I88 into the radiator.

A conduit I81 leads from the outlet of the circulating unit 83 of the engine heater I to the upper portion of the chamber I85, while the lower portion of said chamber communicates througha conduit I88 with the connection e between the lower portion of the coolant space of the engine and the bottom of the radiator R. The conduit I88 is so disposed that the coolant will flow by gravity from the chamber I to said connection e I89 is a return conduit that leads from the upper portion of the coolant space of the engine, incidentally by way of the aforesaid connection e adjacent the latters juncture with the engine block, to the inlet of the circulating unit 8|].

By reason of the arrangement of the conduits I81, I88 and I89, and their relation to the circulating unit 89, the chamber I85, and the coolant space of the engine, the liquid, as it is heated, rises from the unit 89 through the conduit I81 to the chamber I85. Such flow may be induced by bubbles'rising through the conduit I81, an action known as gas lift, and/or by thermosiphon action, and any vapors liberated within the chamber 185 escape through the vent aperture I86. The highly heated liquid continues on from the chamber I85 through the conduit I88 to the bottom of the coolant space of the engine, in the present installation through the adjacent portion of the connection e and rises within said space, displacing the cold liquid through'the conduit I89 to the circulating unit 88. This may continue until the entire contents of the coolant space of the engine is heated, or until the engine is sufiiciently warm to make starting easy. The heater is then turned off in a manner later to be described.

Liquid fuel is supplied to the fuel feeding and control means [E through the previously mentioned pipe H9 from a suitable source, as the fuel'tank T that supplies fuel to the engine E. e designates the usual or standard fuel pump of the engine, and communication between it and the tank Tis through a pipe t.

I98 is a fuel pump that constitutes a part of the engine heating apparatus, and it is desirably of the bellows or diaphragm type, the expansible and contractible pumping chamber being designated IIlI. Fuel is supplied to said chamber from the pipe t through a pipe I92 including a check valve I93; and said chamber discharges, past a check valve I94, to the aforesaid pipe II9 that leads to the fuel feeding and control means I95. The chamber I9! is expanded by a pump actuating'solenoid I95, the core of which is attached to the movable end of the chamber I9I and is shown as extending through a guide I96. A spring I91, interposed between said guide and the movable end of the chamber, tends to contract the chamber. Carried by the relatively movable ends of the pumping chamber are contacts which constitute a circuit closer designated I98. 208 denotes a pump switch, located adjacent the beforementioned panel I18, and conventionally shown as consisting of a spring tongue and contact, both of conducting material, the former of which is brought into engagement with the latter by the abutment I19 on the flexible element or wire I'II when the same is pulled rearwardly by the knob I89. Zlltis a combined blower and ignition switch, consisting of a tongue and two contacts, and 292 is a blower switch. According to the arrangement illustrated, these switches are adapted to be alternately closed by a lever 295 that is pivoted at 296 to a bracket 291 that may be attached to the reverse side of the panel I18. When the lever 285 is thrown in a direction to close switch 292, as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 10, it remains in such position until manually swung therefrom to an intermediate or neutral position. However, when swung in the opposite direction to close switch Zfll, its movement is opposed by a retracting device 208, illustrated conventionally as a spring projected plunger.

I B designates a source of electrical energy. This source may, and preferably does, consist of the battery that supplies current for the ignition system of the engine, as well as for other purposes common to automotive vehicles. One of theterminals of the battery is shown as grounded to the engine through a conductor 2 I I3, while connection is made between its other terminal and the tongue of each of the switches 20!], 2IJI and 202, with respect to the first through conductor 2| I, and with respect to the others through the conductor 2I2. A conductor 2E5 leads from the contact of the switch 200 to one end of the coil of the pump actuating solenoid I95 while the other end of said coil has connection through a conductor 2I6 with one contact of the circuit closer I913. The other contact of said circuit closer is grounded through a conductor 2II. Thus, a circuit is provided including the source 13, switch 23!], solenoid I95 and the circuit closer I98. This may be termed the pump circuit. What I shall term the igniter circuit includes a conductor 220 that leads from one contact of the switch 2III to one post of the igniter 35, the igniting element 5|] of which is located within the burner bowl in vaporizing and igniting relation to the wick 5I, as previously described. The other post of the igniter is grounded through a conductor 22L The blower circuit is represented by a branched conductor 223 that leads from the contact of switch 202 and from the second contact of switch 2III to the motor 92 of the air impeller or blower 9|, and a conductor 224 through which said motor is grounded.

When the apparatus is not in operation, the knob ISO is in a forward position adjacent the panel H8 and the abutment I19 is forward enough to effect the opening of the pump switch 200. The lever IBI occupies off position, as indicated in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 3, and the wick carrier M2 is in elevated position,thereby to dispose the wick siphon I 30 above the fuel level a in the receiving compartment I68 of the casing I05. Because of this elevated position of the carrier, the foot I45and the ledge I46 that are on said carrier are disposed beyond the reach of the valve stem I31 and the lever I25. Therefore, the spring I34 holds the valve I33 against itsseat I36 to positively shut off communica tion between the fuel feeding and control means and the burner, and the spring I26 sustains the lever I25 in a sumciently elevated position to permit the overflow valve I23 to be held closed by its spring I24. In its elevated position, the lever I25 engages and lifts the float arm I III and through it holds the inlet valve II3 against its seat. Under the conditions now prevailing, the lever 2B5 occupies neutral position so that neither ofthe switches 2DI nor 202 is closed.

:Now, when it is desired to warm the engine preparatory to starting it, the knob I80 is pulled out to the position shown in Fig. 10. This draws rearwardly the flexible element or wire III and shifts the abutment II9 to close the switch 200. Thus the circuit is completed through the coil of the pump actuating solenoid I95, causing the solenoid to expand the pumping chamber I9I, provided the same is contracted sufiiciently to bring, the contacts of the circuit closer I98 together. In any event, as soon as the supply of 10 fuel insaid chamber is depleted enough to cause the circuit closer to function, the solenoid will be energized and expand the pumping chamber thereby to draw in a fresh charge of fuel through the pipe I92, past the check valve I93. As the fuel feed and control means demands fuel, a quantity to satisfy such demand is forced from the pumping chamber by contraction of the latter under the influence of the spring IQI', the fuel proceeding past the check valve I34 through the pipe H9 and filter I I8 to the receiving compartment N38 of the casing I05. Admission of fuel to said compartment provided the liquid level therein is below the normal maximum indicated by the line a, is effected by the opening of the inlet valve H3, due to the descent of the float I II. This is permitted by reason of the fact that the arm I25 was depressed by the ledge it when the wick carrier was lowered, and the latter re-.

sult was brought about by the rocking of the lever I5I as a consequence of the retraction of the flexible element or Wire III. The depression of the arm I25 also results in the unseating of the overflow valve I23 so that in case excess fuel leaks past the valve II3 it will overflow and be carried away by the pipe I22 a safe distance from the burner. The lowering of the wick siphon I Il], so as to dip one leg thereof into the fuel in the receiving compartment I08, causes a transfer of fuel from said compartment over the barrier or partition II)? to the delivery compart-,

Inent I69. From this compartment the fuel is now permitted to flow by gravity through the pipe I3I to the burner bowl 2, the valve I33 hav-, ing been unseated by the foot I45 on the wick carrier.

Immediately after the knob I82 is pulled rearwardly as above described, the operator shifts.

the lever 205 from neutral position in a direction to close switch 2IlI against the action of the spring plunger 2% thereby to supply current to the,

igniter 30 and to the air impeller or blower motor 92. The switch 2GI is held in this position against the action of said spring plunger until the burner lights. This is only a matter of seconds, and is evidenced by a characteristic roaring sound. The operator then shifts the lever 205w the position shown in full lines in Fig. 10 so as to close the switch 292 and supply current ex clusively to the air impeller or blower motor 92. The lever is left in this position to maintain the, switch 202 closed as long as the burner is in operation.

Under some conditions, as when the apparatus is to be used in extremely cold climates where temperatures of 30 or more below zero are usual;

The apparatus is allowed to continue in operation until the engine is sulhclently warm to insure easy starting, when the knob Iail is pushed forwardly to open the switch 236 that controls the pump circuit; to lift the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment IIIB and stop the transfer of fuel; to permit the spring I23 to elevate the arm I25 and allow the overfiowvalve to seat, and, at the same time, to hold the float arm elevated and effect positive seating of the inlet valve II3, and to release the fuel valve I33 so that the spring I34 may close it.

The lever 285 may beleft in position to maintain the blower circuit closed long enough after asoasea the fuel valve is seated to supply combustion air to the burner until all fuel remaining therein is consumed. Thereafter the lever 205 is swung to neutral position in order to allow the switch 202 to open.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said fuel containing means into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, meansmaintaining a substantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, transfer means for conveying fuel from the receiving compartment over said barrier to the delivery compartment, an instrumentality for throwing said transfer means into and out of operation including a part occupying a given -position when said transfer means is in operation, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, a valve in said connection, and means for closing the valve, the aforesaid part when in said given position engaging a part movable with the valve to hold the valve open.

2. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said fuel containing means into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means maintainin a substantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, fuel transfer means in the nature of a siphon extending over said barrier, actuating means'for'raising and lowering the fuel transfer means so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said actuating means being capable of lifting the transfer means out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, a valve in said connection, and means for closing the valve, the actuating means having an abutment that engages a part on the valve thereby to open the valve when the actuating means is moved to the position necessary todip the transfer means into the fuel contained in the receiving compartment.

3. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said fuel containing means into a receiving compartment and a delivery oompertinent, means maintaining a substantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, a wick siphon extending over said barrier, a carrier therefor, means for raisin and lowering the carrier'so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means bein capable of lifting the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, and a valve in said connection, said carrier having operative connection with the valve whereby the valve is closed when the carrier lifts the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment and whereby the valve is opened when the carrier lowers the wick into said fuel.

4. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said fuel containing means into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means maintaining a substantially 12 constant'liquid level in the receiving compare ment, a wick siphon extending over saidbarrfer, a carrier therefor, meansfor raising and lowering the carrier so as to control thetrans'ferof fuel from the receiving compartment to the-delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel fl'ows by gravity, and a valve in said connection biased to closed position, the carrier having an abutment that engages'a part on the valve therebyto open the valve when the carrier is moved to the position necessary to dip the wick siphon into the fuel contained in the receiving compartment,

the valve being permitted to close when-thecar-.

' rier is moved to lift the wick siphon out or said fuel.

5. In means for controlling the supply of'fuel to a. liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said fuel containing means into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means maintaining asubstantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, at wick siphon extending over said bar rier, a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier so as to control the'transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows Joy gravity, and a valve in said connection compris ing a casing having a through passage the receiving end of which passage is surrounded by a downwardly facing valve seat, a valve member four engagement with said seat and having a stem that extends through said receiving end of the passage into the delivery compartment, a'spring tending to lift the valve member against said seat, the carrie having an abutment that engages said stem and unseats the valve member when the carrier is depressed enough to lower the wick siphon into the fuel contained in the receiving compartment.

6. In means for controlling the supplyof fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel'contalning means, s, barrier separating said means into a receiving compartment and a delivery'compartment,means maintaining a substantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, a wick siphon-extending over said barrier, "a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier some to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the wioksi phon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuelilows "by gravity, overflow means for the receiving compartment arranged with its overflow edge above the aforesaid liquid level, a movable shut-01f devicefor said overflow means, the carrier cooperating with said shut-oh device to render it ineffective thus to open the overflow means whennthe carrier is depressed maintaining a substantially constant liquidlevel" in the receiving compartment, a wick siphon extending over said barrier, a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, overflow means for the receiving compartment arranged with its overflow edge above the aforesaid liquid level, a movable shut-off device for said overflow means biased toward shut-oif position, the carrier cooperating with said shut-off device to move it to open position when the carrier is depressed sufficiently to lower the wick siphon into the fuel contained in the receiving compartment.

8. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said means into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means maintaining a substantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, fuel transfer means in the nature of a siphon extending over said barrier, actuating means for raising and lowering the fuel transfer means so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said actuating means being capable of lifting the transfer means out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, an overflow conduit rising within the receiving compartment and having its overflow edge above the aforesaid liquid level, a valve for controlling the escape of fuel through the overflow conduit, said valve having a stem rising through the overflow conduit, a spring tending to close the valve, and operative connections between the actuator means and the stem through which the stem is depressed to open the valve when the actuating means is lowered enough to dip the transfer means into the liquid fuel contained in the receiving compartment.

9. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said means into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means maintaining a substantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, a wick siphon extending over said barrier, a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, an overflow conduit rising within the receiving compartment and having its overflow edge above the aforesaid liquid level, a valve for controlling the escape of fuel through said conduit, said valve having a stem rising through the overflow conduit, a spring tending to close the valve, and operative connections between the carrier and the stem through which the stem is depressed to unseat the valve when the carrier is lowered enough to dip the wick siphon into the liquid fuel contained in the re ceiving compartment.

10. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier separating said means into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means maintaining a substantially constant liquid level in the receiving compartment, a wick siphon extending over said barrier, a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the wick siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, an overflow tube rising within the receiving compartment and havin its overflow edge above the aforesaid liquid level, a valve for controlling the escape of fuel through the overflow tube, said valve having a stem rising through the overflow tube, a spring tending to close said valve, a member movably supported above the overflow tube in contactable relation with the valve stem, the carrier having an abutment for engagement with said member to shift the same and cause it to depress and open the valve when the carrier is lowered enough. to pro,-. ject the wick siphon into the liquid fuel contained in the receiving compartment.

11. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier which separates the same into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, fuel transfer means in the nature of a siphon extending over said barrier, actuating means for raising and lowering the transfer means so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said actuating means being capable of lifting the transfer means out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, fuel conveying means for communication with a suitable source of supply and arranged to discharge the fuel intothe receiving compartment, a valve controlling the admission of fuel to said receiving compartment, a float in said compartment for seating the valve when a given liquid level is attained, and an instrumentality operated by a part movable with the actuating means for maintaining said valve closed when the actuating means is shifted sufficiently to remove the fuel transfer means from the fuel in the receiving compartment.

12. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier which separates the same into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through which fuel flows by gravity, a siphon extending over said barrier, a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the siphon out of the fuel in the receiv-- ing compartment, fuel conveying means for communication with a suitable source of supply and arranged to discharge the fuel into the receiving compartment, a valve controlling the admission of fuel to said receiving compartment, a float in said compartment for seating the valve When a given liquid level is attained, and a member moviably supported in operative relation to said valve, the carrier having an abutment for engagement with said member to move the same and cause it to hold said valve closed when the carrier is elevated sumciently to lift the siphon outof the liquid in the receiving compartment.

13. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a-

barrier which separates the same into. a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection forthe delivery compartment through which fuel-flows by gravity, fuel transfer means in the nature of a siphon extending over said barrier, actuating means for raising and lowering the fuel transfer means so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the transfer means out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, fuel conveying means for communication with a suitable source of supply and arranged to discharge the fuel into the receiving compartment, a valve controlling the admission of fuel to said receiving compartment, a float in said compartment for seating said valve when a given liquid level is attained, overflow means for the receiving compartment arranged with its overflow edge above the aforesaid liquid level, a movable shut-off device for said overflow means, and an instrumentality with which the actuating means cooperates for retaining said valve closed and said shut-off device in efiective position to shut off the overflow when the actuating means is shifted sufilcientiy to remove the transfer means from the liquid in the receiving compartment.

a 14. In means for controlling the supply of; fuel toa liquid fuel burner, fuel containing means, a barrier which separates the same into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, the fuel containing means having an outlet connection for the delivery compartment through.

which fuel flows by gravity, a siphonextending over said barrier, a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the delivery compartment, said means being capable of lifting the siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment, fuel conveying means for communication with a suitable source of supply and arranged to discharge'the fuel into the receiving compartmenta valve controlling the admission of fuel to said receiving comparte ment, a float in said compartment for seating the valve when a given liquid level is attained, over-- flow means for the receiving compartment arranged with its overflow edge a distance above the aforesaid liquid level, a movable shut-off device: for said overflow means, and an instruj',

' flow when the carrier is elevated sufficiently-t0 remove the siphon from the liquid in the receiving compartment.

'15. In means for controlling the supply of fuel to a liquid fuel-burner, fuel containing means, a barrier which separates the same-into a'receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, the

fuelcontainingmeans having an outlet connection for the deliverycompartment through which fuelflows by gravity, a siphon extending over said barrier, a carrier therefor, means for raising and lowering the carrier so as to control the transfer of fuel from the receiving compartment to the deliverycompartment, said means being capable of lifting the siphon out of the fuel in the receiving. compartment, fuel conveying means for communication With a suitable source of supply and arranged to discharge the fuel into the receiving compartment, an inlet valve controlling the admission or fuel to said receiving compartment, a float in said compartment for seating said valve Whena given liquid level is attainedan overflow tube rising within the receivingcompartment and having its overflow edge above the aforesaid liquid level, an overflow valve for controlling the escape of fuel throu h said tube, a spring for seating said overflow valve, a member movably supported in operative relation to both valves and arranged tobe engaged and moved by a part on the carrier whereby when said carrier is elevated sufficiently to'lift the siphon out of the fuel in the receiving compartment said member will be moved so as to permit the spring to seat the overflow valve and so as to retain the inlet valve on its seat.

MARC RESEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Date Resek Feb. 25,1947 

